Partner with educators, leaders, students and families to foster a culture of respectful online interactions and a healthy balance in their use of technology.
Course Syllabus and Classroom Rules for Virtual Learning
LLT 555
The coursework I had to complete in LLT 555 Building Online Instruction helped me focus on the importance of early communication and the need to be very clear with my students. A clear syllabus is essential. Before taking this class, I hadn't given a tremendous amount of thought to a class syllabus. I had always created documents that told students about classroom rules and what I expected of them as students, but I hadn't focused on a specific syllabus. Because the course I built was meant to be delivered online, I thought very carefully about how I wanted to communicate my presentation.
It turns out the timing of this coursework was very apropos. Because of Covid-19, our school year started virtually. I used many of the skills I had learned in LLT 555 to build my syllabus and other communications for my digital design class that I am teaching this year.
I also learned the importance of having a set of classroom rules for online courses. It seems obvious to have classroom rules when students are in the building, but it's not quite as obvious when they are online. I used my classroom rules for my Coursework in LLT 555 in my personal classroom this year. The rules set a precedent for my students. I wanted them to understand how I expected them to interact with one another and the type of language that's appropriate, using proper grammar, and not text messaging lingo. My classroom rules also pointed out that just as you cannot take someone else's written words and use them as your own, you can not take photography off the internet and claim it as your own. Both are examples of plagiarism.
Last year I had students and parents sign a digital consent form about using the school's digital photography equipment. I did not do that this year because of the virtual start; however, I believe it would be good to have students and parents sign a contract or consent form about understanding classroom rules as well as forms about equipment use. It would help hold students accountable.
LLT 555
The coursework I had to complete in LLT 555 Building Online Instruction helped me focus on the importance of early communication and the need to be very clear with my students. A clear syllabus is essential. Before taking this class, I hadn't given a tremendous amount of thought to a class syllabus. I had always created documents that told students about classroom rules and what I expected of them as students, but I hadn't focused on a specific syllabus. Because the course I built was meant to be delivered online, I thought very carefully about how I wanted to communicate my presentation.
It turns out the timing of this coursework was very apropos. Because of Covid-19, our school year started virtually. I used many of the skills I had learned in LLT 555 to build my syllabus and other communications for my digital design class that I am teaching this year.
I also learned the importance of having a set of classroom rules for online courses. It seems obvious to have classroom rules when students are in the building, but it's not quite as obvious when they are online. I used my classroom rules for my Coursework in LLT 555 in my personal classroom this year. The rules set a precedent for my students. I wanted them to understand how I expected them to interact with one another and the type of language that's appropriate, using proper grammar, and not text messaging lingo. My classroom rules also pointed out that just as you cannot take someone else's written words and use them as your own, you can not take photography off the internet and claim it as your own. Both are examples of plagiarism.
Last year I had students and parents sign a digital consent form about using the school's digital photography equipment. I did not do that this year because of the virtual start; however, I believe it would be good to have students and parents sign a contract or consent form about understanding classroom rules as well as forms about equipment use. It would help hold students accountable.